Five Geese Flying

In Ireland’s Boyne Valley there is an ancient burial mound called Newgrange. Inside is a 62-foot long stone passage leading to a chamber that is filled with light by the rising sun on winter solstice. More than 32,500 people entered the lottery to see this event from inside the mound. Only 60 were chosen. Lots of people celebrate the return of the sun by visiting Stonehenge. If this is on your bucket list, you should know the closest you’ll be allowed is ten yards from the stones. Bring your camera, and a telephoto lens. In Japan it’s traditional to bathe with yuzu (a citrus fruit, sort of like a pomelo) at winter solstice. Supposedly it protects against winter colds. In Hollabrunn, Austria locals dress up as the goat demon Krampus to chase and threaten children (and tourists). I generally celebrate the first day of winter by drinking hot beverages and wishing I lived further south.